Cheltenham Festival Day 2

A fantastic opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, great racing, thrills and spills plus two nice priced winners highlighted, ensured it was a profitable first day.

Yanworth out of the places in the Champion Hurdle was a fantastic result for me, I’d been laying the horse in the place market for weeks. I’ve never seen a Championship market so wrong, Yanworth couldn’t win the Champion Hurdle, jumping is too big and slow, also needs further. I’m amazed how heavily Yanworth was supported.

The result of the Champion Hurdle was perfect, Buveur D’Air winning nicely at 11-2 made the outcome very profitable. I thought Buveur D’Aair was the only proper speed horse in the field, he canted through the race under Noel Fehily and sprinted away from his rivals. He could be very good.

In the following race the mares’ hurdle, Apple’s Jade ran out a very game winner. I don’t think we’ll see a better ride all week. Bryan Cooper took the race by the scruff of the neck and just about made all. I was confident she wasn’t given the full beans last time out and didn’t look 100% fit on bad ground. The quicker going and stiffer track was right up her street, her price of 9-2 was grand.

A 25-1 shock won the Supreme, Labaik for Gordon Elliott was the first of a 3 timer, for the Irish trainer. Ballyandy had no luck in running, clipping heels made his task impossible from an early stage. Ballyandy would have finished placed at worst and maybe better with a clear run. A step up in trip could be ideal for him, Aintree?

I’ve always found Day 2 of the Festival tough going, huge fields and some big handicap races.

I highlighted Neon Wolf last week and suggested the 5-2 on offer should be snapped up. Neon Wolf is held in huge regard and should go very close.

I’m not so keen on Might Bite in the RSA but don’t know what to take him on with, i'll sit the race out.

Coral Cup, Mister Miyagi EW at 18-1. If you rule out his last effort Mister Miyagi would have a good chance on form. Tombstone connections thought of supplementing him for the Champion Hurdle, if he’s that good he’ll likely win this. 4-1 could look big after the race. Ensure you shop around and place bets with bookies offering 6 places.

The Queen Mother will hopefully see Douvan put in a fantastic performance. If you can find somthing to place, that will pay more than backing Douvan to win. Gods Own & Fox Norton EW could work or in the without Douvan market, 11-4 & 5-2.

I would love to see Any Currency win the Cross Country Chase and will have a few pounds EW at 16-1 through loyalty. This horse has won me plenty of money in the past few years including when winning the race last year. He’s now 14 though and was disqualified last year after winning this race due to a blood test problem. If Any Currency puts his his head in front, the roof could come off Cheltenham.

The Fred Winter is a pin stick job but Paul Nicholls has a good record in this. Connections have kept Dreamatching handicap rating intact for the Fred Winter. 12-1 EW looks ok.

Cause Toujours in the Champion Bumper.